The Inner Harbor Hulks of Kingston: A Maritime Legacy

Introduction

The Kingston Inner Harbor, a vital waterway of nearly five miles linking Lake Ontario to Highway 401, holds a rich maritime legacy. This stretch of the Cataraqui River within the Rideau Canal system was once a hub of trade, industry, and transportation. Over centuries, Abandoned and scuttled vessels accumulated here, creating a graveyard of hulks that now serves as a poignant reminder of Kingston’s maritime past.

The Historical Context

The Inner Harbor’s strategic location connected Kingston to Ottawa via the Rideau Canal. The Cataraqui River, draining over 930 square kilometers of rugged terrain, provided a natural conduit for trade and travel. Its unique estuarine environment, where sediment from the Canadian Shield mingled with Lake Ontario’s inlet, became the foundation for Kingston’s maritime activities.

Notable Discoveries and Events

• Normandy Hall Excavations (1953): The skeletal remains of four vessels, initially believed to be French ships from the 1758 capture of Fort Frontenac, were revealed. Later, these were identified as Abandoned barges from the 19th century. The hazardous state of these hulks led to their removal in the mid-19th century.
• Coal Strike of 1902: This strike forced desperate measures. Eight hulks, including the Steamer INDIAN and the CITY OF KINGSTON, were deliberately grounded and stripped for firewood.
• Pile-Wharves and the K&P Railway: Structures like the Kingston & Pembroke Railway’s wharves facilitated mineral transfers but eventually deteriorated, adding to the clutter of the harbour.
• Foot-of-the-Lakes Terminal (1911): This ambitious $1.8 million project aimed to Dredge the harbour and improve infrastructure but ultimately failed, leaving the hulks undisturbed.

Accumulation of Hulks

By 1923, the Kingston Inner Harbour housed up to 40 hulks, with many scattered around key industrial areas like the Cotton Mill. Efforts to remove the hulks saw mixed success: Some vessels were towed to lake graveyards. Others fell victim to arson or were left to decay in the harbour’s silty waters. Smaller hulks near the shore were repurposed as pier extensions or breakwaters.

Notable Vessels

• BELLE: A Schooner stranded near the Woolen Mill during the harbor’s industrial peak.
• THERESA T.: A coal Barge marking the post-war era of derelict vessels.
• CONCRETIA and C.D.110 (formerly RAPIDS QUEEN): Hulks tied to Canadian Dredge & Dock operations.

The completion of the St. Lawrence Seaway in the 1950s reduced Kingston’s prominence as a port, leaving CD&D’s surplus fleet to rot in the harbor.

The 1994 Archaeological Study

Funded by the Ontario Heritage Foundation, a study led by Jonathan Moore identified 14 vessels within the Inner Harbor. Only three were positively identified:

• GLENGARRY (barge)
• Chicago (Barge)
• ABBIE L. ANDREWS (coal schooner)

Obscured by weeds, sediment, and landfill, these vessels are now largely inaccessible but remain of historical and archaeological interest.

The Modern Legacy

Today, the Inner Harbor Hulks are seen as relics of Kingston’s vibrant industrial past. Once viewed as nuisances, they now evoke nostalgia and curiosity, offering insights into the lives and industries that shaped the region. These silent witnesses lie buried beneath silt and water, waiting for rediscovery by future generations.

Conclusion

The Inner Harbor Hulks illustrate Kingston’s transformation from a bustling port to a quieter historical landmark. They tell stories of innovation, hardship, and resilience. As Kingston evolves, these remnants continue to serve as a tangible connection to the city’s rich maritime history, preserving the legacy of a bygone era.